Deanna Renz
The journey to becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner began with a childhood dream—nursing has felt like a calling since the age of five. Early experiences working in pediatrics taught invaluable lessons about compassion, patience, and the importance of honoring each child’s unique story.
Previous experience in pediatrics has given me a strong understanding of developmental stages and the unique challenges faced by young people and their families.
Supporting children and their families for so many years revealed how deeply mental health shapes lives, which inspired a growing passion for understanding emotional well-being.
First session
A first session together is designed to be welcoming, supportive, and free of judgment. The process begins by creating a comfortable space where you can share your concerns, goals, and hopes at your own pace. This initial meeting focuses on listening and understanding your unique story, gathering information about your symptoms, medical history, current stressors, and strengths so a complete picture can form.
Strengths
Previous experience in pediatrics has given me a strong understanding of developmental stages and the unique challenges faced by young people and their families.
Ideal clients
My client focus is on children, adolescents, and families who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral concerns, as well as adults seeking holistic support for mental health and wellness. Ideally, I work with individuals who are open to a collaborative, compassionate approach—whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to deepen your healing.
Treatment methods
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing will be used by forming an equal, collaborative partnership with my patients, focusing on empathy, acceptance, and supporting their autonomy. Open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing (OARS) will be used to understand the patient’s motivations, help them recognize discrepancies between their current behaviors and personal values, and reinforce their confidence in making positive changes. Guiding rather than directing will create a safe, supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take ownership of their mental health goals and treatment decisions.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
As a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, I use DBT by integrating its core principles—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—into patient sessions to help individuals manage intense emotions and improve coping skills. I incorporate DBT skills during medication management appointments, reinforce skill use, validate patient experiences, and collaborate with therapists when more intensive DBT therapy is needed. This allows me to provide trauma-informed, holistic care that supports both emotional and behavioral change for my patients.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Licensed in
- GeorgiaLicense APRN-NP104510